Here are our fantasy picks for the fourth T20I between New Zealand and India (6:29)
January 31: New Zealand v India, 4th T20I, Wellington
Our XI: KL Rahul (wk), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (capt), Martin Guptill, Shreyas Iyer, Tim Seifert, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Tim Southee
NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates
Captain: Virat Kohli
For once, Kohli might not be the most popular captain choice going around, with KL Rahul in fine form and Rohit Sharma finding his hitting range in the third T20I. Kohli is yet to make a fifty in this series – he has 94 runs from three innings at a strike rate of 132.4 – and this could be the day for that big score.
Vice-captain: KL Rahul
Rahul averages an astounding 54.55 from his last ten T20 innings, and has been clearing boundaries with ease throughout the series. An equally worthy choice for captain, especially if you’d like a safe, in-form pick.
Hot Picks
Kane Williamson
Williamson’s 48-ball 95 in the third T20I is now his highest score in the format, and it was an innings where he didn’t spare even Jasprit Bumrah at the death. While he couldn’t quite finish the job in Hamilton, he looks in fine form.
Rohit Sharma
Sharma was coming off two consecutive single-digit scores but smashed a 40-ball 65 in the chase, before dragging India over the line in the Super Over. He struggled to get going at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, the venue for this game, when India toured here last – three runs from two limited-overs innings – and would be looking to put that behind this time.
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the series so far, but more importantly, has an incredible economy rate of 5.90 after three games, comfortably the lowest among bowlers who have bowled more than two overs. He has only conceded four boundaries from ten overs and is a bankable bowler to have in your side in a series largely dominated by batsmen.
Value Picks
Tim Seifert
Seifert made a 26-ball 33 in the second T20I, the only substantial batting opportunity he has had so far this series. While he has struggled to get going at the death, Seifert’s T20I best (84 off 43) came as an opener on this ground the last time these two sides faced off. India, of course, did not have either Bumrah or Mohammed Shami in that game, but it was an indication of what Seifert is capable of with bat in hand.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer is India’s second-highest run-getter in the series with 119 in three innings, at an outstanding strike rate of 152.6. His composure and big-hitting abilities have come to the fore, especially during the two successful chases India had in the first two games.
Points to note:
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Kohli indicated India are likely to make changes after winning the series 3-0. Keep an eye on the toss and team news before finalising your XI
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The last three games on this ground have all been high-scoring, with sides batting first putting up 170-plus scores and winning each time. It might be worth tilting your balance towards the side batting first
Source: ESPN Crickinfo